Wonderful Tonight
1977 single by Eric Clapton
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"Wonderful Tonight" is a song written and performed by English singer Eric Clapton. The ballad was included on Clapton's 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song on his 1974 Martin D-28 guitar about Pattie Boyd.[2] The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman. It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 15 July 1978, spending seven weeks in the top 40. In Canada it was in the top 40 for nine weeks.
| "Wonderful Tonight" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Eric Clapton | ||||
| from the album Slowhand | ||||
| B-side | "Peaches and Diesel" | |||
| Released | 10 March 1978[1] | |||
| Genre | Soft rock | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | RSO | |||
| Songwriter | Eric Clapton | |||
| Producer | Glyn Johns | |||
| Eric Clapton singles chronology | ||||
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Background
On 7 September 1976, Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" for then-girlfriend Pattie Boyd while waiting for her to get ready to attend Paul and Linda McCartney's annual Buddy Holly party.[citation needed] The song is mentioned in her 2007 autobiographical book Wonderful Today.
Reception
Billboard described "Wonderful Tonight" as "perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time."[3] Billboard particularly praised Clapton's guitar playing during the interludes.[3] Cash Box said that "Eric’s singing is superbly understated; the guitar work is simple and evocative" and praised "the gentle beat and organ accompaniment."[4] Record World called it a "light, pretty ballad from [the album] Slowhand that should also move quickly up the charts" and praised Clapton's singing."[5]
Personnel
- Eric Clapton – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
- George Terry – rhythm guitar
- Dick Sims – Fender Rhodes and Hammond organ
- Carl Radle – bass guitar
- Jamie Oldaker – drums and percussion
- Marcy Levy and Yvonne Elliman – harmony and backing vocals
Performance
In 1988, Clapton appeared in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert as a guest guitarist for Dire Straits. The group became his backing musicians for a surprise performance of "Wonderful Tonight" during their set.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[23] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[24] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Japan (RIAJ)[25] | Million | 1,000,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[26] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[27] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Cover versions
Damage version
| "Wonderful Tonight" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Damage | ||||
| from the album Forever | ||||
| B-side | "I'm Ready" | |||
| Released | 28 April 1997 | |||
| Length | 4:01 | |||
| Label | Big Life | |||
| Songwriter | Eric Clapton | |||
| Producer | Steve Mac | |||
| Damage singles chronology | ||||
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British R&B group Damage covered "Wonderful Tonight" and released it as the fifth single from their debut studio album, Forever (1997), in April 1997. The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest-charting single. The song is prominently performed by Coreé Richards, with little vocal input from any other members of the band. The music video features the band performing the song in a recording studio with cut scenes of a girl preparing to go on a night out. The B-side, "I'm Ready", launched the career of Craig David, being the first song he had ever written to be released by himself or another artist.
Track listings
- UK CD1[28]
- "Wonderful Tonight"
- "I'm Ready" (Rashaan J Bromfield, Coreé Richards, Noel Simpson, Jade Jones, Andrez Harriott, Craig David)
- "Wonderful Tonight" (Ethnic Boyz Mix)
- UK CD2[29]
- "Wonderful Tonight" (acoustic mix)
- "Just My Imagination" (Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong)
- "Love II Love" (acoustic mix)
- UK cassette single[30]
- "Wonderful Tonight"
- "I'm Ready" (Bromfield, Richards, Simpson, Jones, Harriott, David)
Charts
|
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[43] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
David Kersh version
| "Wonderful Tonight" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by David Kersh | ||||
| from the album If I Never Stop Loving You | ||||
| Released | 14 March 1998 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Label | Curb | |||
| Songwriter | Eric Clapton | |||
| Producer | Pat McMakin | |||
| David Kersh singles chronology | ||||
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"Wonderful Tonight" was covered by country singer David Kersh on his album If I Never Stop Loving You in 1998. His version went to number 29 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Charts
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[46] | 45 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[47] | 29 |
Butch Baker version
The song was covered by country music singer Butch Baker on his album We Will, whose rendition reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.[48]